MEL jamboree facilitator agendas

These agendas, for grantee “MEL jamborees”, provide a detailed view of not only how an actionable learning event for MEL could be structured but also offer an insight into the interests, challenges, and opportunities facing grantees when it comes to MEL.

This resource is part of the MEL toolkit for grantmakers and grantees resource collection.

Authors and their affiliation

Jay Locke and Megan Colnar (Economic Justice Program MEL Team, Open Society Foundations)

Key features of the MEL jamboree facilitator agendas

In 2017 and 2019, the Open Society Foundations’ Economic Justice Program held grantee “MEL jamborees”—events designed to support actionable peer learning and collaboration between MEL practitioners.

The MEL jamboree facilitator agendas, used to guide the in-person events, were co-designed with EJP grantees and an external facilitator. This helped to make sure that content and leadership were not dictated by donor interests. As such, the agendas provide a detailed view of not only how an actionable learning event for MEL could be structured but also offer an insight into the interests, challenges, and opportunities facing grantees when it comes to MEL.

“At the time [of the Jamboree], we were looking to strengthen our own MEL system and looking at who is doing what and what they are learning about it. Discussions during the Jamboree either confirmed whether the way we are going is the right way—or we don’t want to go down the way this other org has gone.  It also helped us build relationships.  In the first jamboree, we built trust, stronger connections and also the trust among organizations allowed us to discuss openly things we would not otherwise have felt comfortable with.” — Jamboree participant.

How have you used or intend on using this resource?

Donors and organizations that are seeking to support creative events that support learning and engagement among MEL partners can use these agendas from the 2017 and 2019 Jamborees as a foundation for their learning event plans.

Why would you recommend it to other people?

This resource has been designed and revised based on feedback from grantees to ensure that the agenda and peer learning approach was responsive to the needs and interests of organizations working on economic and social justice. The example provides a proven template for others seeking to undertake similar activities.